Mechanicsburg, Pa. – Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), two out of three car seats are misused. September 23-29, 2018 is Child Passenger Safety Week, dedicated to helping parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible – every trip, every time.

South Central PA Highway Safety Coordinator, Matthew Frampton, stated, “According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading killer of children, and fatalities are on the rise. Car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can make all the difference.”

NHTSA recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, to the maximum height or weight limits allowed for their particular seat. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing size limits, the child may move to a forward-facing seat with a harness, and then to a booster seat until they’re the right size to use seat belts safely. The safest place for all kids under 13 is in the back seat. Frampton added, “We encourage all families to get your seats checked to make sure they’re installed correctly and that your children are in the right seat.”

South Central PA Highway Safety (SCPAHS), a division of ATSPA, will be holding a car seat check on Friday, September 28th at Target in Mechanicsburg from Noon to 2PM. Individuals will be assisted on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information or to make an appointment to have your car seat checked at another time, contact the ATSPA at 717-766-1616.

The American Trauma Society, PA Division (ATSPA) is a non-profit trauma prevention education organization dedicated to reducing suffering, disability and death due to trauma. The ATSPA strives to help all Pennsylvanians survive and lead healthier lives through its trauma prevention education programs. For information, call 717-766-1616 and visit www.atspa.org.

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